Director of Football Steve Walsh has revealed more about the recruitment team he has assembled at Everton.
“I have installed a very good backroom team here at Everton. Laurence Stewart was the first person I brought in and he worked with me at Hull and, subsequently, Manchester City. I have got Dan Purdey in the same department and I appointed Martyn Glover as chief scout - he has got a lot of experience with Sunderland, West Ham and working with Sam Allardyce for many years.
“I’ve got a good team of people around me. I was told by Nigel Pearson to get good people around you and it helps you make good decisions.”
Walsh explained that work is currently ongoing behind the scenes with the regards to the upcoming summer transfer window.
“You are always planning and always trying to make the team that little bit better - you are always looking at good players,” Walsh added. “The fundamental question you have always got to ask is: does that player fit into what we are trying to do? If that’s the case then we try to take that forward.
“It’s not just position specific - it’s about trying to find out about as much as you can about that player such as his personality, has he got drive, does he want to do what we want as a football club?
“We want to be successful, we want to get into the top four and you only do that over a period of time. Given time, we are going to get there. There’s no doubt about that.”
Since assuming his position last summer, Walsh has brought on board several new experienced members of staff who will help identify players to enhance Ronald Koeman’s first-team squad.
Speaking as part of Sky Sports News’ Everton Live day at USM Finch Farm, the former Leicester City and Chelsea talent-spotter discussed at length his responsibilities and the close working relationship he has forged with manager Ronald Koeman.“The first thing I did when I came into the Club was sit down with Ronald and we looked at how he wanted to play,” Walsh said. “There is no point me bringing players to the Football Club that Ronald doesn’t see fitting into the way he plays.
“The most important thing is recruitment of players - that is fundamental to my role. Certainly top end towards the first team where I have to work very closely with Ronald [Koeman]. I also get involved in other things and I am conscious we have got young players come through. The integration of those [young players], coupled with the players we have brought in, is a hallmark of successful clubs.“I have installed a very good backroom team here at Everton. Laurence Stewart was the first person I brought in and he worked with me at Hull and, subsequently, Manchester City. I have got Dan Purdey in the same department and I appointed Martyn Glover as chief scout - he has got a lot of experience with Sunderland, West Ham and working with Sam Allardyce for many years.
“I’ve got a good team of people around me. I was told by Nigel Pearson to get good people around you and it helps you make good decisions.”
Walsh explained that work is currently ongoing behind the scenes with the regards to the upcoming summer transfer window.
“You are always planning and always trying to make the team that little bit better - you are always looking at good players,” Walsh added. “The fundamental question you have always got to ask is: does that player fit into what we are trying to do? If that’s the case then we try to take that forward.
“It’s not just position specific - it’s about trying to find out about as much as you can about that player such as his personality, has he got drive, does he want to do what we want as a football club?
“We want to be successful, we want to get into the top four and you only do that over a period of time. Given time, we are going to get there. There’s no doubt about that.”
